![]() Occupational Health Guideline for Cobalt Metal Fume and Dust-This guideline helps stakeholders conduct effective occupational safety and health programs.Specific Medical Tests or Evaluations Published in the Literature for OSHA-Regulated Substances: Cobalt Metal, Dust, and Fume -DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.Cobalt and Compounds (7027)-Sampling and measurement data from NMAM, fourth edition.Elements by ICP (7300)-Sampling and measurement data from NMAM, fourth edition.This report increases awareness and recommends work practices to reduce exposure to the toxic effects of cobalt and degree of worker exposure to substances containing cobalt. NIOSH Occupational Hazard Assessment: Criteria for Controlling Exposure to Cobalt-DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.A comparison is made between these two technologies in terms of infrastructure and maintenance, dosimetry, shielding requirements, staffing, costs, security, patient throughput and clinical use. The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies. Medical linear accelerators (linacs) and cobalt-60 machines are both mature technologies for external beam radiotherapy. NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries-NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace.Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Values of Cobalt Metal Dust and Flame-NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and researches methods for developing IDLH values.NIOSHTIC-2 search results on cobalt-NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.Useful search terms for cobalt include “cobalt metal dust,” “cobalt metal powder,” “cobalt metal fume,” and “elemental cobalt.” NIOSH Chemical Resources The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to cobalt. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures. If you work in an industry that uses cobalt, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. Employees who work at nuclear or irradiation facilities.Workers involved in the production or use of cutting or grinding tools.Miners who work in the metal mining industries.Workers who work in industries processing cobalt-alloys.Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to cobalt include the following: Its radioactive isotope is used in imaging and food irradiation. It’s used in cutting and grinding tools, pigments and paints, colored glass, surgical implants, batteries, and some electroplating. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.Ĭobalt is used in many industries. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cobalt and cobalt-containing products. It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. It is found in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals, including people. or death.Cobalt (Co) is a hard, gray metal that occurs naturally. ![]() Mishandling of a large industrial source of Co-60 could result in an external exposure large enough to cause skin burns, acute radiation sickness radiation sicknessA serious illness that can happen when a person is exposed to very high levels of radiation, usually over a short period of time. ![]() Cobalt-60 absorbed by the liver, kidneys, or bone tissue can cause cancer from internal exposure to gamma radiation. Most Co-60 that is ingested is excreted in feces however, a small amount is absorbed by the liver, kidneys and bones. Cobalt and Healthīecause it decays by gamma radiation, external exposure to Co-60 can increase cancer risk. Such exposures are carefully controlled to avoid adverse health impacts and to maximize the benefits of medical care. Most exposure to Co-60 takes place intentionally during medical tests and treatments. Though relatively rare, exposure has also occurred by accidental mishandling of a source at a metal recycling facility or steel mill. Accidental exposures may occur as the result of loss or improper disposal of medical and industrial radiation sources. It is also used for radiation therapy in hospitals. Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source in many common industrial applications, such as in leveling devices and thickness gauges.
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